New Delhi, 2008, 3rd revised and enlarged edition. 224 pp, 72 photos, maps. Many 6000- 7000 meter peaks are still waiting first ascents. Gives climbing history and potential for Sikkim, Assam, Kumaon, Kinnaur, Spiti, Kulu, Lahul, Kistwar, Kashmir, Ladakh, Zanskar, Eastern Karakoram.
The purpose of this book is to excite and inspire the climber and trekker toe take advantage of the vast possibilities the Himalaya has to offer. It ignores the 8000 metre peaks as having been more than adequately covered elsewhere. But it draws attention to the less familiar and more challenging aspects of the know 7000 and 6000 - metre peaks. It concentrates most valuably on the wealth of minor but still extremely rewarding summits, many of them unclimebed and some of them quite unknown, which have been hitherto neglected due to simple ignorance or the difficulty of access. It covers only the Indian Himalaya.
Each region is backed up by photographs and sketch maps, supported by a brief outline of the history of exploration and climbing in that area. It attempts to answer two questions that an enthusiastic climber would want to ask. Where shall I go? what should i climb? All this adds up to an immensely valuable source of reference to the range upon range of named and unnamed peaks crying out for attention.
This book was first written to offer suggestions after all higher peaks were climbed repeatedly. Though there are many virgin peaks covered here, many peaks suggested in the book also have been climbed after its first edition was published. Peaks of the middle heights but unknown and high in challenges were the attractions. Many expeditions made successful climbs in the unknown valleys and a whole new concept of mountaineering developed. There are many such peaks in other ranges too: namely Nepal, Karakoram and Southeast Tibet. All these peaks offer many climbing possibilities with a variety of difficulties.
Thus a new paradigm shift in climbing may occur with climbers taking on peaks with still lower in heights but greater in difficulties. These peaks offer challenging routes in unknown valleys without any bureaucratic hassless. In last few years many parties have enjoyed climbing in such valleys as the Pangi valley, Miyarnala, Sainj Valley, Obra gad and others. When such valleys attract the hard core leading climbers(there is a lot to offer them), the true exploration of the Hidden Himalaya will really be achieved. There are many suggestions for such peaks in the book and new areas are added in this thoroughly revised (up to 2007) edition.
